Eric Dochier
The Advantages of a Destination Wedding in Spain
Saying “I do” to a destination wedding is one of the hottest trends around. Discover now the Advantages of a Destination Wedding in Spain.
Brides all over the world are setting aside tradition and opting for a more stress-free, luxurious, and cheaper wedding option. This is even more true since the pandemic.
Destination Wedding
A destination wedding is an occasion for you to share with your guests a change of scenery. It's also a way of combining your wedding and a vacation together with your guests.
So if you want your wedding to be remembered
as a fun and casual party, rather than a formal event,
in a leisure, relaxed location
where you can truly interact with your guests over a longer event,
a destination wedding will be one of the best choices you'll ever make.
A destination wedding offers you many advantages :
You can stay a few extra days near your wedding place for a minimoon or start your honeymoon from your wedding place.
(See article “Where to Honeymoon in Spain” from Brides)Far-flung weddings are usually more intimate weddings, meaning less obligatory invites and more must-have loved ones. Friends and family who are invited often know that the list was limited, and they love feeling important to the couple.
A destination wedding is the great geographical equalizer because it takes place in a neutral spot. And since the location is largely new to everybody, your big day will be every bit as exciting for your guests as it is for you.
A destination wedding is a more affordable wedding when compared with its hometown counterparts.
For more information about destination weddings (definition, cost...)
What are the Advantages of a Destination Wedding in Spain?
Spain is the second most visited country in the world after France (see 2019 World Tourism rankings).
Many tourists visit Spain looking for good weather, the beach, a relaxed lifestyle and cheaper drinking.
But Spain is much more than that: authentic villages, beautiful seaside resorts and amazing cities and historic places. It's the third country with most UNESCO World Heritage sites (48), after Italy and China, of which 40 are cultural.
Wine and Food
While France might be famed as Europe’s capital of wine, Spain is the world’s third biggest wine producer, after France and Italy. Major Spanish wine regions include the Ribera del Duero or the stunning La Rioja, whose Gran Reserva Selección Especial 2005 was declared world #4 in 2018 (see article: Seven of the best Spanish wines in the world's top 100 list, "Top 10 best wine brands of the moment"), but also the sherries from Jerez de la Frontera or the sweet moscatel from Malaga.
Spanish cuisine is the cradle of Mexican, Latin American and even the famous Creole cuisine. Many world-known chefs are Spanish and everyday cooking is high in flavours and quality products, especially fish and pork in all theirs forms.
In short, Spain’s culture, architecture and food will make your day all the more special, and planning a destination wedding in Spain can be simpler than you might think.
A warm welcome and a relaxed way of life
Spain has had a very long tradition of hospitality. The people are famous for treating visitors with respect and friendliness.
The majority of Spanish are good natured and have a heightened sense of humor.
Life does not flow at the same speed as elsewhere on earth, which makes Spain the perfect place to relax and enjoy life. Sin prisa... the tranquilo lifestyle is one of the reasons why you will love this country!
A Destination Wedding in Valencia
Valencia is half way down the Mediterranean coast.
The climate
With its position in southern Europe, Spain enjoys long summers and pleasant year-round weather, making it an ideal destination for weddings if you want to catch come rays.
The minimum average day temperature in the Valencia area is around 75°F from mid february to mid November and can become very hot in July and August.
A wide choice of wedding venues
Spain really does have it all:
castles and palaces
masias, villas and haciendas
vineyards, olive or orange fields
beach wedding
best hotels and paradors
This is why Spain is definitely a dream come true for destination weddings.
There is somewhere perfect in Spain for every couple wanting an authentic destination wedding.
Authenticity : a successful mixture of ancient traditions and modernity
The Valencia region is very rich in culture and traditions. Authenticity meets modernity in many ways.
Despite increasing numbers of tourists every year, Valencia offers authenticity at almost every turn. Whether it be traditional cuisine, architecture (Gothic, Baroque, Moorish, Modernista) or neighbourhoods (Alicante, El Puig, Ruzafa), Valencia continues to be true to itself.
Hundreds of miles of Beaches and Coast in Valencia
Valencia is both an authentic city and a beach destination with more than 240 miles of beach, or an ‘urban resort’ as it has been coined. You’ll find Blue Flag beaches such as Las Arenas, la Malvarrosa and El Cabañal just short drive from the centre.
These beautiful stretches of sand offer a plethora of bars and restaurants as well as great nightlife. Perfect to continue a destination wedding with your guests...
Gastronomy
Tapas are essentially appetizers with ingredients such as bread, cheese, olives, meat and vegetables and can be eaten as a quick snack or as an entire meal. Spain has also earned a reputation as one of the better producers of wine, particularly of the red variety.
Valencia is also the home of Paella and Horchata and even has its own alcoholic drink, Agua de Valencia.
Very attractive prices
According to numbeo.com, used as a source by many international newspapers and magazines, if, for example,
- New-York City has a cost of living index of 100,
- San Francisco, CA, of 88.89,
- London, UK, of 77.50 and
- Cambridge, UK, of 70.00,
- Valencia has a cost of life index of 51.
Which explains why this region of Spain offers very attractive prices for a destination wedding.
The cost of an average wedding in the Comunitad Valenciana is 16,500 EUR for 100 guests.
This figure is only half of a wedding’s expenses organized in the United States, where you might have to fork out the equivalent of 30,000 EUR for similar services.
In the UK, the average cost of a wedding was around £22,500 (25,600 EUR) in 2022 but weddings in London and other major cities in the UK tend to be even more expensive.
In contrast, the average cost of a wedding in Spain is around 20,000 EUR (£17,500). This includes costs for the venue, catering, photography, and other expenses.
(See more at https://weddingsabroadguide.com/cost-of-a-wedding-in-spain.html)
Midweek weddings cost 20-40% less than weekend weddings. For a vibrant, progressive city, the cost of living is surprisingly affordable in Valencia.